Kashmiri poet Rahi receives Jnanpith award

New Delhi, Nov 7 (ANI): Eminent Kashmiri poet Rahman Rahi received the Jnanpith award, the country's highest literary award, for his contribution to Indian literature

Rahi was conferred the Jnanpith (pinnacle of knowledge) award by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at a function organised in New Delhi on Thursday.

He became the first person from Jammu and Kashmir to receive the honour.

"I congratulate and felicitate Rahman Rahi on being honoured with this prestigious literary award, which is an acknowledgement of his immense contribution to the growth of Indian literature," said Dr. Singh.

"I believe this is the first time that the recognition has come to a literary personality in the Kashmiri language, which finds its earliest expression in the mystical work of Lalleshwari or Lal Ded almost 700 years ago," Singh added.

Apart from cash reward of 10, 465 dollars, the recipient of this award receives a citation plaque and a bronze replica of Vagdevi, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music and arts.

The award was instituted in 1961 and any citizen of India, who writes in any of the official languages of the country, is eligible for the honour. (ANI)